Breeding-crate.



J. R. PFANDER.

BREEDING CRATE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-12. I9l3- Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

flak/(Zr M /Zfmrdez J. R. PFANDER.

BREEDING CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12. 1913.

1,186,828 Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' f s J I QW'WM wm e J. R. PFANDER.

I BREEDING CRATE. I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, 1913.

Patented June 13, 1916.

PLANOURAPl-l '00., WASN IIQGTON, n. c.

, JAMES R. PFANDER, orrnonm, ILLINOIS.

BREEDING-CRATE.

To all whom it may concern 1 Be itknown that 1, JAMES R. PFANDER, citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented'certain new and use ful Improvements in ,BreedingCrates; and

I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which .it'appertains to make and use'the same.

This invention relates to improvements to breeding crates particularly adapted for th breeding of swine.

One of the'objects of the invention is to simplify the construction and several mechanisms and partstof a breeding crate so that the crate may be produced at a minimum of expense. v

Another object is to'simplify the construction of a crateof the character described so that its operation will be quite easy and simple.

Still another object is to construct a crate that can be adapted and used'for breeding purposes or for trimming the feet of the animals held therein by certain adaptations. A still further object is to provide a novel and exceedingly simple and effective mechanism for moving certain win-gs 0r sideboards with respect to one another in par allel planes.

A further object is to arrange certain tread-boards in connection with the wings orside-boards and operated by the same,

Another object is to provide a certain novel arrangement of adjustment of a member upon which to support the animal and include a bodily raising of the floor of the crate to any desired height.

Other objects and advantages will appear herein aided by the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 1s a side elevationof the crate.

Fig. 2 isa longitudinal'sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the crate. Fig. 4t shows, in perspective, certain structures anddetails, Fig. 5 is a plan ofthe crate and Fig. 6is a plan of a portion of certain operating parts.

. r The frame of the'crate consists of upright corner members A connected at the top by side membersB and end members 'C, and alike connected at the bottom by side members D and end members E, and further connected by side members F midway the height thereof.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13,1916.

Application filed August 12, 1913. f Serial N 0. 784,412.

G G are two members, preferably angle bars, extending longitudinally of the crate and adapted to rest at their endsupon the end members E, see Fig. 4, the said ends bemg held behind straps H secured at their upper ends to the uprights A and spaced therefrom to, admit the extended limb of saidmembcrs G, the lower ends of the strap being secured to themembers E for example. The angle-bar members G may be secured adapted to constitute a raisable support for a plattormtobc described. Journaled in Y the topof thecrate at one end is a shaft J provided with two spools K, one at each side of said crate, each having a cable L adapted to wind thereon and attached to the mem- .ber G. At the opposite end of the crate are pulleys M, but one of which is shown, Figs.

2 and 3', and cables N also winding upon the spools extending over the pulleys and down to the opposite ends of the members G. The

- cables wind upon the spools in the samedirection with the result that the platform will be raisedor lowered to the same extent at both ends. Apinion O operated by a crank P is in mesh with and operates a large gear Q on the shaft, J, considerable lifting power being the result. Resting upon the support made up of the members G, G,is a frame R best shown in Figs. 4: and 5. This frame-hasa longitudinally disposed member S on one end of which is pivotally mounted a gatefconsisting in the present instance of a U-shaped rodT adaptedto swing, and having a supporting bar Upivoted at one end between its extensions. The front end of the bar is carried on a bail V pivoted to it and slidably held in a stirrup W secured on said member S.

2 1s a pawlrpivoted to the bar 'U'and adapted to engage betweenltwo teeth'ofa series of teeth 3 secured on the member S,

which is left a slit or opening 7 The uprights are each supported upon the frame R by means of a stout metal brace 8, by preference, and each includes a part 9 secured to or formed with it. Between the parts thus associated at each side ofthe apparatus are sprockets 1O interiorly'threaded for receiv;

,relativeto another in any desired manner, by means of bars G for example, and are see Fig. 4,;the pawl being adapted to .sup-

ing thread-bars 11. A sprocket chain 12, Figs. 1, 4 and 6 runs over both sprockets 10 of .each pair of thread bars. On one of the thread bars ofeach pair ofthread-bars is a second sprocket 10 each of which receives rotation from a sprocket 13 mounted on a shaft 1 1 extending across the crate and suitably journaled upon one of the uprights 4.

of opposite pairs, through chains 15. As the thread bars 11 that carry the sprockets 10 are movable endwise the same as the others to adjust those ends of the wings 16 to which they-are attached, the said sprocketsi 10 must'be held from lateral movement in order to prevent them from moving out of .line with the sprockets 13 above them.

The sprockets and the sprockets 104MB,

therefore a single part or casting outside of Y which there is provided'a bracket 9 similar to the part 9 for the sprockets 10 on the other thread bars, as shown in Fig. 3. j,

The inner ends of the thread-bars of each pair are suitably secured in a rigid manner to a wing or side board 16 disposed substantially in a vertical plane, both the mem- 1 bers being adapted to move in parallel planes and relatively toone another. Ex-

tending from the upper portions of each wing is a substantially horizontal shelf-like member 6, termed a foot-rest-which extends through and shifts within the slit or-opening 7 between the boards 5 and 6 previously mentioned. From the fact that the sprockets 101311111 upon thethread-bars which are afiixed to the Wings-116.,- and from thefurther fact that the sprockets are confined between "the parts 8 and 9 the said thread-barsmust have longitudinal movement or a movement. in the direction of their lengths through said sprockets thereby movingthewings i'nward or outwarddepending upon the directionof rotation; imparted to the sprockets. One pair of thethread-bars ha's right hand threads and the other left-hand" threads so that the rotation of the'shaft 14" in a given direction will impart opposite directions of movement to the Wings, or so that they will be moved either toward or away from one another. r I

17 indicates two inclosing side members resting upon the lower members D previously described. These side-members are;

1 adapted to shift uponv said members D to form a guide within which the sidemernbers 5917 shift. The parts 18 are bails, one offi occupy two extreme positions one of which is shown in Fig. 1, the retracted position,

and the other in its extended position, Fig. '5. A bar 18is attached to the side members F andD and together with the uprights A whichis attached at its extremities'to each of the parts 4; and 8, whi-le 19 is a strap secured toeach member 17 and inclosing each of the bails and within which each is slidfable.

20 indicates the frame of a gate stationed at the exit'end of'the crate. It is vertically slidable between the cleats 21, Fig. 5, of the corner upright members A. Secured on the horizontal parts ofsaid frame are upper and lower straps 22. .lVithin these is placed a pair ofupright boards 23 provided in adj acent edges with notches 23 to receive and for holding the neck --of the animal. Said boards areadju'stable laterally through pins 24 extending through one of a series of holes '25 in the said horizontal frame-parts and said straps 22. The frame R, the wings 1'6 and the structure forcarrying and for operating them, are adapted to shift as a unit upon and longitudinallyof the members G and, in addition, the members 17 likewise are shifted due to their connected relation through the bail 18 and the strap 19. Shifting movement is imparted in one direction through a gear 26 of a shaft 27 provided with spools 28, Fig. 5, upon which cables tached at opposite sides of the frame R at R, for example, after extending beneath pulleysR indicated in Fig. 1, the gear 26 being operated bymeans of an engaging pinion 3O and' a crank 31.

32"indicates an approach or tread-board which may be stationed in any desired posi-' tion, 6. either outside the crate as in Fig.

'1 or inside as in Fig. 5, said tread-board having no attachment to the crate; merely resting uponthe ground or "upon any desired p art. When in adj ustment to receive the animalto be bred the gate T occupies a recliningposition (dotted lines Fig. 2) in order to let the animal enter, the gate made up of the frame 20and the boards 23 being preferably raised so that to the animal an apparently clear avenueis open. Having gotten the animal into the crate the said gate 20 is immediately dropped, and the gate T raised. After havingthus been imprisoned the animal, if shorter than the distance between the gates T and 20, is moved forward by turning the shaft 27. This causes the gate'T to press upon the animals rump and carry herforward until her head is pushed between the boards 23 where it can be held by adjusting said boards toward one another and securing them. If the animal is a small one "the frame Rwhich is provided with floor boards33 upon which the animal form R and its parts the bails 18 play up V g and down. The board U is adjustable toanyheight required and is held at a desired elevation by the pawl 2 so that the animal 29are adapted to wind, the latter being atwill be prevented from squatting. In addition, the side boards or wings 16 are adjustedso as to engage the sides of the ani mal and prevent her moving sidewise. I desire to direct attention tothe structure ofthe parts of my crate with especial regard to the foot-rests'6 and the board 53 It is observed that the former extends beneath the latter as shown and explained, and there is therefore no danger of the fore feet of the boar slipping through openings such as are sometimes in evidence and whereby the animals legs are sometimes broken.

The adjustment of the wings and the footrests simultaneously makes'for simplicity of construction and ease and simplicity of operation as distinguished fro-m some devices 7 which adjust these parts separately. Again,

a stronger and more rigid structure results from combiningthem, The adjustment of the wings by the means describedis also advantageous in that the interlorly threaded sprockets working upon thread-bars in- 7 'sure positive movement of the wings in parallelism and both are operated in unison and to the same extent so as to properly position the animal.

It is to be noted that the apparatus is adapted for receiving small or large sows and includes the adjustment of the platform of the crate for smaller large boars by elevating the, platform upon which the sow stands or by using the raised tread boardfor the bear and letting the sow stand upon the ground, or upon the platform. v

Not only is the crate adaptable for breeding purposes but also for holding hogs while their feet are being trimmed. In accomplishing the latter operation the floor boards may be removed and the feet of the animal can be rested. upon the ground and then easily reached and lifted to position for trimming by passing the hands through the openings beneath the boards 6. Since the platform is designed to be raised and the auxiliary sideportions are to remain at rest upon the members D the bails 18 on the members 4 permit relative movement of the platform and said auxiliary portions. The latter by remaining stationary will constitute tight inclosures at all times for the crate.

The'device is susceptible of various modificationssuch as would be considered as lying within the intent of the invention and 0f the thread bars, means carried by the the spirit of the claims, I having described a preferred construction.

I claim- 1. In a breeding crate the combination of an inclosing structure lncluding main slde form in said longitudinal direction, and means to impart vertical movement to the platform independently of said auxiliary side portions.

2. In a breeding crate, the combination of an inclosing structure including main side portions and an end inclosing portlon, a platform adapted for movement in a longitudinal direction with respect to said a structure, auxiliary side portions movable" with the platform in its longitudinal movement, a gate carried by and movable with the platform, and means to impart vertical movement to the platform relatively to said' portions, said parts adapted to permit the" vertical movement of the platform with respect toithe said auxiliaryportions, an inclosing part mounted in the forward end of the framing above the platform, and a gate to inclose an animal at the rear.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a structure including side inclosing portions and including end inclosing portions, auxiliary side members comprising two portions adapted for movement longitudinally of the structure, a plat form adapted also for longitudinal movement'between the inclosing sides of the structure and adapted to movebeneath the said end portion, and also adapted for a VeltlCLl movement,'one of the portions of the auxiliary side members being movable with theplatform in its vertical movement, a rod disposed vertically upon one of the portions of said auxiliary member, and a part carried by the other member of the same and engaging said rod.

5. In a breeding crate, the combination of an inclosingstructure to receive an animal, a pair of spaced wings or side boards within said structure arranged to leave a run way between them for the animal, a thread bar affixed at oneend to the outer side of each; wing and adapted to have movement in the direction of their lengths, a separate part having threaded. engagement with each structure to hold the several parts. from movement except a rotary one, and means to rotate all of the parts in unison to impart substantially the same degree of movement to the wings.

6. In a breeding crate, the combination '7 of an inclosing structure, a platform to carry the animal including side portions iso 'movablelongitudinally of the inclosing structure and alsofadapted to move verti cally with the platform, wings or side boards disposed opposite and lying parallel to the said side portions, a thread barv engaging each wing, an internally'threaded sprocket wheel mounted on each thread bar, meanson each side portion to engage and prevent movement of the sprockets along i sprocketwheels and adapted to rotate them the .thread bars, means engaging the simultaneously in a manner to cause the wmgs to move in .a dlrection perpendicular to, their. planes.

7, In a device o f the. character described, thecombination with side portions and end inclosing parts, ofa pair of wmgs or side boards lying betweensald portlons, and a foot-rest extendin from each win or side board in opposite'directions beneath one of said portions.

' 8.1In a device of thecharacter described,

the combination with vertically disposed j combination with vertically disposed side portions and end inclosing parts, of a wing or side-board, a foot-rest carried by and fixedrelatively to each wing and extending beneath its respective side portion, and means'to adjust the wings with respect to the saidportions.

I 10. In 'a device of the class described the i Copies of this patent may be obtained for combination with an inclosure to receive an an mal including sideinclosing portlons and an end inclosing portion for one end, of a platform adapted for longitudinal adjust ment within the inclosure and including auxiliary side 'portionsmovable' with it, a wing or side-board carried from each said auxiliary portion, means carried by each of the latter for adjusting the wings with respect to one another, mechanism'to adjust the latter simultaneously in the'direction of one another, a foot-rest extending from each wing and fixed relatively thereto and extending beneath said auxiliary portion,

meansto elevate the platform, and an adjustable gate mounted upon the platform to 7 form aclosure for the other end of said inclosure 11. In a device of the character described, the combination of an inclosing structure, a frame, means mounted on the structure to carry and impart vertical movement to the platform, a pair of Wings or side boards mounted on the platform and adapted to move with it, and mechanism supported by the platform and adapted for moving the said wings simultaneously in the direction of one another.

12. In a breedingcrate, the combination of a frame structure, a platform therein including side inclosures mounted thereon, an inclosing member at the front of the structure, means to impart movement to the platform in a longitudinal direction, means to raise the said platform, a gate mounted on the platform at the rear end of the platform, the same being adjustable in the direction of the saidinclosing nember at the front, and a wing or side boardsupported above the platform at each side of the middle line thereof, each having a shelfextending outward through said side inclosures,

and means supported from the platform for adjusting the wings simultaneously in the direction of each other. I

18. In a breeding crate, the combination of a frame structure, a platform therein includlng side mclosures, an inclosingmemher at the front and rear of the crate to retain the animal, a pairof wings or side boards for locating an animal, each including a shelf portion rigid therewith extending beneath the side inclosures, the lower edge of the latter being substantially flush with the top, surface of said shelf portions, and means to adjust the wings in a direction perpendicular to their planes, the said shelf portions being movable with the said wings.

let. In a breeding crate, the combination of a frame structure, a platform therein ineluding side inclosures mounted thereon, an inclosing member at the front of thecrate independent, of and lying above the platform, a; combined rear inclosing member and supporting bar mounted on the platform and adjustable relatively to it, a wing or side board erected at each side of the supporting bar including a shelf rigidly attached to it extending outward beneath the inclosing member, the lower edge of the latter lying close to the upper surface of' said shelf, means to adjust the platform in a longitudinal direction, and means to adjust it vertically.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature, I

in presence of two witnesses.

' JAMES R. PFANDER. Witnesses: W. I. SLEMMoNs, L. M. THURLow;

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 Patents, Washington 0. 

